The Netherlands

Participations since 1989
Organizer in 1994, 2004 and 2015
Gold Team price in 1995 and 1996
Silver Team price in 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1999
Bronze Team price in 1998, 2001 and 2007
Gold Individual price in 1994 and 1995
Silver Individual price in 1992
Bronze Individual price in 1996 and 1998

The involvement of The Netherlands in the NATO Chess Championships started in 1989. It was the time that the Office of International Military Sports had no interest for mind sports. At that time, The Netherlands had a military chess player who played in the highest division of the national competition, Gert-Jan Ludden. Having noticed the NCC call at the magazin of the national chess federation, he got no agreement of the Office of International Military Sports to set up a team for participation. A second try at the Chief Staff of the Department was succesfull. The performance of the team at the NCC convinced the Office of International Military Sports to support chess as a military sport.

Together with the efforts of another chess player at the department, Brig. General Hendrik Steffers, The Netherlands could organize a NATO Chess Tournament in 1993, to keep the memories of the tournament alive.

The NATO Chess Tournament of 2015 had the biggest number of countries and particpants, so it can be concluded that The Netherlands is able to organize a big tournament.

The military chess team of the Netherlands thanks the Office of International Military Sports for their long time interests in chess as military sport.

Photo: 2010
R.W.A. (Rieke) Hof - van Run, Team captain Netherlands chess team

Website: Military chess in The Netherlands

Team 2013

Team 2009

Team 2004